Signal



L. VT. PENNY.

SIGNAL, APPLICATION FILED OCT. 4| 1918.

Patented May 10, 1921.

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L. T. PENNYV SIGNAL.

Patented May 10, 1921.

srAras LONNIE THOMAS PENNY, OF RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA.

SIGNAL.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented lvLay 16, 1921.

Application iiled October 4, 1918. Serial No. 256,854.

To all w/zomit may concern Be it known that l, LONNIE T. PENNY, a citizen of the United States, residino' at Raleigh, in the county of Wake and tate of North Carolina, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Signals, of which the following is a speciication.

The present invention relates to signals, and particularly to that type which may `be operated by fluid pressure to sound a whistle or actuate some other suitable signal de- -vice.

The object of this `invention is to provide` a signal which may be used on trains and preferably attached to the usual air brake train line for establishing means of communication .trom end to end of the train, particularly when the ends of the train are not visible one to the other, such as when the train is on a curve, at night, and under various other kindred circumstances; a signal whichmay be easily tapped into the train line at any desired point and actuated by the slight reduction in the normal pressure therein; and a signal which may be used both in the engine and in the Caboose, and by means ot which the conductor on the rear end of the train may signal the engif neer and the latter acknowledge the signal without the crew being visible to each other.

Another object of the invention is` t0 provide a signal device of this character which comprises relatively few parts, is positive in operation, which is ,compactl and `occupies but small space, which requires no adjustment, which can be installed with but slight alterations and cannot easily get out of order. -The above, and various other more or less important objects and advantages of this invention will be in part understood from, and in-part set forth in, the following detailed description of the present pre-,

terred embodiment, the same being illus ,trated lin the accompanying drawings,

wherein:

yFigure l is a diagrammatic view ot a train line pipe of the usual air brake system, and two signals constructed accordingto this invention tapped into the pipe at ditterent points. j

Fig. 2 is an enlarged view, partly in section, of the signal apparatus with parts broken away.

Fig. 3 is a detail sectional View of the whistle valve and the adjacent thereto.

Fig. 4 is a transverse section taken on the line 4 4 of Fig. 3, and looking in the direction-ot the whistle as shown by the arrows. l

Fig. 5 is a similar view taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 3 through Vthe connection beyond the valve and looking toward the same as indicated by the arrows.

Fig. 6 is a transverse section through the controlling cylinder, taken on the yline 6 6 of Fig. 2 adjacent to and looking away from the whistle. v

Fig. 7 is a similar view taken on the line 7-7 of Fig. 2 near the train pipe connection and looking toward the same, and

Fig. 8 is a detail sectional view through the check valve controlling the passage ot air between the main cylinder and the reservoir. n

The apparatus of this invention is designed particularly for application to the train line pipe of freight and other trains, but may be used wherever ay pipe line is adapted to be normally maintained under pressure and adapted to be vented to effect a reduction of the pressure in the line, the present signal apparatus being normally held inoperative by pressure and actuated by a reduction in such normal pressure.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, illustrating the invention as applied to train line pipe of the ordinary air brake system, 10`designates the train line pipe which is shown diagrammatically in sections representing cars of a train of desired length and with suitable pipe line couplings 11 of usual form. y i

Each signal apparatus comprises a main cylinder 12 closed atopposite ends by heads 13 and 111 and connected to the pipe line 10, through a port 15 in the head 14, by a coupling pipe 16. The pipe 16 is threaded into the head la at one end and may be tapped in any suitable manner into the train pipe10 for establishing communication between the train line pipe and the cylinder 12. The

parts immediately yhead 14 is provided with a second port 17 trom which leads a supply pipe 18, the latter having a check valve therein as shown in detail in Fig. 8 of the drawings. The check valve comprises the spaced heads 19 and 2O into which are secured the opposite ends of CII the body 21 of the valve. The valve head 22 is seated against the end of the body 21 within the head 19, and has a stem 23 projecting through the body and supporting therein a spring 24 seated within said end of the body and bearing its other end against a shoulder 25 on the free end of the stem. The valve 22 is remote from the cylinder head 14, and the spring 24 normally urges the valve to its seat against the pressure in the cylinder.

The supply pipe 18, leading from the check valve, opens into a tank or reservoir 26 adapted to maintain a reserve iuid supply for blowing a whistle 27. The tanlr 26 is connected by a pipe 28 to the main cylinder 12 through the head 13. being any approved type of air whistle, is connected by a pipe or elbow 29 to the head 13, a whistle valve beingl interposed in the ripe As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the valve for the whistle comprises a casing 30 having one end threaded into Vthe head 13 and a valve seat in such end. rEhe other end of the casing 30 is threaded into the pipe 29. A valve 31 is seated against the end of the casing having the seat, and is provided with a stem 32 non-circular in cross section and fitted in a circular bore in the casing for guiding the stem and valve in movement. The outer end of the casing 30 is counterbored to receive a spring 33 which surrounds the stem 32, the spring bearing at one end against the casing and at its other end against a shoulder 34 on the outer end of the stem to normally seat the valve 31. rlhe stem 32 of the valve has a projection 35 extending into the cylinder 12 and provided with a head 36. i

ltlithin the cylinder 12 is mounted a double piston 37, theheads or sections of which are connected together in suitably spaced relation by a neclr 33. seated in the cylinder by packing rings in the usual manner. rlhe end of the piston 37 adjacent the head 14 has a stem 39 upon which is mounted a spring 40 bearing at one end against the piston 37 and seated at its other end against a shoulder 41 formed in the bore 42l of the head 14. The stein 39 is adapted to move into the bore 42 when the piston is moved toward the head 14. The other end of the piston 37 carries a coupling member 43 inthe form of a stem threaded into the end of the piston and provided with a pair of opposed outstanding fingers having their outer ends extending toward each other in overhanging relation to engage about and behind the head.

36 of the whiste valve, and adapted to engage and disengage the same by a relative The whistle 27,

rlhe pistons 37 areof the cylinder 12, and the parts Within the cylinder may therefore be easily removed and assembled.

In use, one or more signal apparatus as above described may be tapped into the train line pipe 10, such as one near the engineer and another in the Caboose or on the rear car of the train. The normal train pipe line pressure is seventy pounds, and this pressure is conducted through the pipe 16 to the cylinder 12 and against the adjacent end of the piston 37, urging the latter toward the whistleV and closing the valve thereof. The spring 40 assists in maintaining the piston 37 in this shifted position. The pressure passing Athrough the adjacent end of the cylinder 12 from the pipe 16, is conducted through the check valve, designated by its body 21, and through the pipe 18 into the reservoir 26, where av reserve pressure is maintained. As the pipe 23 Connects the tank 26 with the other or outer end of the cylinder 12, the pressure is equalized on opposite sides of the piston, the spring 40 however holding the whistle valve closed.

las soon as there is a reduction in the train pipe line 10, the pressure is reduced in the near end of the cylinder and the pressure from the tank 26 shifts the piston 37 against the spring 40 and the coupling mem ber 43 draws the whistle valve 31 into open position. The pressure is now relieved through the whistle, sounding the same and permitting the spring 40 to work and close the whistle valve 31. lf the pressure in the train pipe line 10 is still maintained reduced, the piston 37 is thus vibrated continuously and intermittently sounds the whistle until the pressure in the reservoir 26 is lowered tothat in the train pipe line 10.

The apparatus of this invention, being thus constructed and mounted in the pipe line is susceptible of slight variation in the train pipe line pressure and may be actuated withoutappreciably afecting the brake mechanism.

That is claimed is:

1. ln signal apparatus, the combination with a fluid pressure train pipe, of a fluid actuated signal element, and means interposed between the element and the train pipe for normally maintaining the element inoperative and adapted to be actuated upon a reduction of the pressure in the train pipe at normal train pipe pressure, said means consisting of a cylinder, a head on one endv of said cylinder having a valve seat, a head on the other end of said cylinder formed with a pair of ports and a boss formed with a bore, a spring mounted in said bore, a double piston in said cylinder, a stem projecting from the outer end of one of said pistons and fitting in said spring and bore,

and a coupling projecting from the outer end of the other piston to engagethe valve of said signal element. y i

2. ln signal apparatus, the combination of a cylinder adaptedforconnection at one end to a fluid pressure line, a pressure actuated signal device connected to the other end of the cylinder, a shiftable member sealed in the cylinder between the ends thereof and consisting of twin connected pistons, a coupling formed on one of said pistons and a stem formed on the other piston, means intercommunicating the ends of the cylinder to equalize the pressure at opposite sides of the shiftable member, and a valve for the signal device connected positively by the coupling of one of the pistons to the shittable member and adapted to be opened thereby upon the movement of the member incident to the reduction in the fluid pressure line.

3. ln signal apparatus, the combination of a cylinder adapted for communication at opposite ends with a fluid pressure line, a whistle connected to one end of the cylinder, a valve for opening the whistle to the cylinder, the stem of said valve being formed with a head and a shiftable member sealed in the cylinder having a coupling to engage said head on the valve stem, normally urged toward the whistle and adapted to be shifted by reduction in the fluid pressure line from the whistle and Vhaving connection with the valve to open the same.

1l. ln signal apparatus, the combination or a cylinder adapted for communication at opposite ends with a fluid pressure line, a whistle connected to one end of the cylinder, a valve for opening the whistle to the cylinder, a spring around the stem of said valve, a head formed on the end of said stem, a shiftable member sealed in the cylinder, a coupling carried by said member to connect with the head on the valve stem, said shiftable member being normally urged toward the whistle, and a fluid pressure storage tank connected between the ends of the cylinder for maintaining pressure against the shiitable member and moving the same to open the whistle valve upon the reduction in the fluid pressure line. y

ln signal apparatus, the combination of a cylinder, a pipe connecting one end of the cylinder to a fluid pressure line, a storage tank connected to said end of the cylinder, a pipe leading from the tank to the other end of the cylinder, a whistle connected to the other end of the cylinder, a valve between the cylinder and the whistle, a spring around the stem of said valve, a head formed on the projected end ot said stem, and a shiftable member in the cylinder sealed between the ends thereof and normally urged toward the valve, a coupling on said member to engage the head on the valve b Vsaid member and eneagino' the head of the valve stem connected to the valve and normally urged for movement in a direction to close the'valve, and a by-pass line between the ends of the cylinder adapted to equalize pressure on opposite sides of the said member and to shift the member upon a reduction in the fluid pressure line for opening the signal valve.

i'. ln signal apparatus, thecombination of a cylinder, a pipe leading from one end of the cylinder and adapted to be connected to a fluid pressure line, a reservoir, a pipe connecting` said end of the cylinder to the reservoir and including a check valve adapted to open toward the reservoir, a pipe between the reservoir and the other end of the cylinder for equalizing the pressure in the opposite ends of the cylinder, a whistle connerted to said other end of the cylinder and including a controlling valve adapted to be normally seated forY closingthe whistle to the cylinder, a piston in the cylinder, a spring in said first end of the cylinder engaging the piston for urging the same toward the whistle valve, said piston being adapted to bey moved against the pressure of the spring upon the reduction in pressure in the fluid pressure line by the liuid pressure in the reservoir, and a connection between the whistle valve and the piston for opening the whistle when the piston is sure thereagainst, spring in the cylinder I engaging the piston to augment the fluid pressure and urge the piston for movement .in one directionq a by-pass around the pls- `ton to equalize pressure at opposite sides of the piston, and a whistle connected to the cylinder remote from the fluid pressure line and includinga valve connected tothe piston and adapted to be normally closed thereby, the piston being adapted to be moved upon a reduction in the fluid pressure line to open the Valve, said valve when and a coupling carried bv the piston and en- 10 open being adapted to reduce the pressure gagging said head.

at the remote side of the piston and the In testimony whereof I aix my signature spring being` adapted to return the piston in presence of tWo Witnesses.

upon the equalization of the reduced pressure for intermittently sounding the Whistle, LONNIE THOMAS PENNY' said connection between the Whistle Valve Witnesses: and piston, consisting of a head formed on T. F. WILLIAMS, one end of the stem of said Whistle Valve J. S. BUNDY. 

